Proventil is used for treating breathing problems in patients who have asthma or certain other airway diseases. Proventil is a sympathomimetic (beta agonist) bronchodilator. It works by relaxing the smooth muscle in the airway, which allows air to flow in and out of the lungs more easily.

INSTRUCTIONS

Use Proventil as directed by your doctor.

Proventil is for inhalation only. Do not get it in the eyes. If you get Proventil in the eyes, rinse immediately with cool tap water.

Remove a vial from the foil pouch. Place the remaining vials back into the pouch for storage.

Do not use Proventil if it contains particles, is cloudy or discolored, or if the vial is cracked or damaged.

To use Proventil, twist open the top of the vial and pour the entire contents into the nebulizer reservoir.

Connect the nebulizer reservoir to the mouthpiece or face mask. Connect the nebulizer to the compressor.

Sit in a comfortable, upright position. Place the mouthpiece in your mouth (or put on the face mask) and turn on the nebulizer.

Breathe as calmly, deeply, and evenly as possible until no more mist is formed in the nebulizer chamber (about 5 to 15 minutes).

Clean the nebulizer according to the instructions. Failure to properly clean the nebulizer could lead to bacteria entering the medicine. This may lead to an infection. To avoid bacteria entering the medicine, use the entire contents right after opening the vial for the first time.

Do not stop using Proventil without checking with your doctor.

Do not mix Proventil with other medicines in the nebulizer unless directed otherwise by your doctor.

If you miss a dose of Proventil and you are using it regularly, use it as soon as possible. If several hours have passed or if it is nearing time for the next dose, do not double the dose to catch up, unless advised by your health care provider. Do not use 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Proventil.

STORAGE

Store Proventil between 36 and 77 degrees F (2 and 25 degrees C). Store in the protective foil pouch at all times. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Do not use after the expiration date on the container or box. Keep Proventil out of the reach of children and away from pets.

MORE INFO:

Active Ingredient: Albuterol sulfate.

Do NOT use Proventil if:

you are allergic to any ingredient in Proventil

you are using another short-acting sympathomimetic bronchodilator (eg, metaproterenol) or epinephrine.

Contact your doctor right away if any of these apply to you.

Some medical conditions may interact with Proventil. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding

if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement

if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances

if you have a history of heart problems, (eg, fast or irregular heartbeat, heart failure), blood vessel problems, high blood pressure, or low blood potassium levels

if you have a history of seizures, diabetes, an overactive thyroid, kidney problems, or an adrenal gland tumor (pheochromocytoma)

if you have ever had an unusual reaction to another sympathomimetic medicine (eg, pseudoephedrine)

if you are taking a monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI) (eg, phenelzine), or tricyclic antidepressant (eg, amitriptyline), or if you have taken either of these medicines within the last 14 days.

Some medicines may interact with Proventil. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

Diuretics (eg, furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide) because the risk of low blood potassium levels may be increased

Beta-blockers (eg, propranolol) because they may decrease Proventil's effectiveness

Digoxin because its effectiveness may be decreased by Proventil.

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Proventil may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

Important safety information:

Proventil may cause dizziness. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Proventil with caution. Do not drive or perform other possible unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.

Proventil may sometimes cause severe breathing problems right after you use a dose. If this happens, seek medical care at once.

If your usual dose does not work well, your symptoms become worse, or you need to use it more often than normal, contact your doctor at once. This may be a sign of seriously worsening asthma. Your doctor may need to change your dose or medicine.

Proventil should work for up to 6 hours. Do NOT use more than the recommended dose or use more often than prescribed without checking with your doctor. The risk of severe heart problems and sometimes death may be increased with overuse of Proventil.

Proventil may cause dry mouth or an unpleasant taste in your mouth. Rinsing your mouth with water after each dose may help relieve these effects.

Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Proventil before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.

Check with your doctor before using any other inhaled medicines while you are using Proventil.

When your medicine supply begins to run low, call your doctor or pharmacy as soon as possible for a refill.

Use Proventil with caution in the elderly; they may be more sensitive to its effects.

Proventil should be used with extreme caution in children younger than 2 years old; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed.

Caution is advised when using Proventil in children; they may be more sensitive to its effects.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Proventil while you are pregnant. It is not known if Proventil is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Proventil, check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects.

Check with your doctor if any of these most common side effects persist or become bothersome: